Device for switching universal cranes



Jan. 30, 1923. v 1,445,382

' C. V. RAPIER. Device v Swl TcHm UNIVERSAL CRANES.

LED Aus. 31 1922 i0 sHEETs-sHEET l Jan. 30, 923. 1,443,382

C. v. RAPIER.

DEVICE FOR SwxTcHlNrs UNIVERSAL Cpe/amisA FILED Aus. 31, 1922. 10 .SHEETS-SHEET 2 Jan. 30, 1923. 1,443,382 C. V. RAPIER. DEVICE FOR SwlTcHr UNIVERSAL CRANES.

Fx AUG LED 19.22 10 SHEETS-SHEET' Jam 3G, 1923. 1,443,382

' C, V. RAPIER.

Ds-:vlcE FOR Sw: TcHlNG UN vERsAl. CRANES.

Fr LED AUG. 3l 1922 l0 SHEETS-SHEET 4 am sa 1923. Y 1,443,382

C. V, RAPIER. Davlcz-z PoR SwlTcHnNs UN|VERSAL CRANES,

FILED AUG. 3l. 1922l 10 sHEETs-sHEETA5 Eil Jan. 30, 1923. Llz

C. V. RAPER. DEVICE FOR SwwTcHlNG vx-:RsAL CRANES1 FILED AUG. 31, 922. 10 SHEETssHEET 8 Jan. 3o, 1923. 1,443,382

C. V. RAP A Devlce FoRSwl NG vERsM. CRANEs.

F\| en 3l. 1922. l0 SHEETS-SHEET 9 fnzfnfar Z497 @1321, f

Jan. 30, 1923.

l0 SHEETS-SHEET 1 0 F1 gen Aus. 31 l 922 .SNE

htarinr., ci'igineer, a

. Mass, Paris,

- .Panarea nase, i923.

T@ ,ST/firs earner .ons

.i CHARLES VINCENT RAPIER, `OF PARS, FRAC'E.,

nnvron non. swircnine UNIVERSAL cannes.

i Application filed August 31, 1922. Serial No. 585,490.

j To all .1o/10m t may concern:

`running upon' overheaflrunway tracks. it

lnown that these universal cranes are constitutech in principle, by tivo trolleys or ytivo groups oi"` trolleys coupled. together which run uponv the overhead tracks of the transporter usen with the-ordinary trolleys, veach trolley` orfgroup of ti'olleys carrying "i 'one ot' the extremities of a girder which constitute a run-way for a trolley carrying the load.

Cranesot this kind can move upon two i tracks which'may be parallel, straight or curved, can enter into switches, pass over crossings and diiierences in level oi the 'tia.clr,can'pass from one span to another, rthe girder ot' these cranes being capable ot' v moving either laterally relative to itself.

or longitudinally All these movements were'eiiected up to' the `present .byi imparting to the rloadksuspended from thel girder the impulses necessaryin order to cause the h-theswitclies, but the operationse'tfected in and sure manner.

this manner do not tal-:e

y The` present invention relates todevices which permit otobtaining in a positive and `certain kmanner the. switching of the two trolleys or groups of trolleys situated at the endot the crane without it being necessary 1 to provide a movable switch in the traclr.

rlhese `devices are characterized by the tact'that they comprise manually actuated device at `each extremity ot the crane which serves to determine the direction oit the trol` leys,v ainechanical connectionv between these two devices, so to enable said device to loe actuated. from one or the other ot the enl ot' the crane, and aguide mechanism at each end of ,thel crane acting upon they trolleys 'ot these ends under thefintluence oi' the actuating devices in question.

Various forms of construction ot these de- `vices are' described'below by way of example trolleys to engage place in a positive `nism of Fig. lst.

ingsv annexed in which:

Fig. l is a side view ot the .end ot a' universal crane having a double trolley or loogic running upon a double-rail `system with a and are shownin the diagrammatic drawguiding mechanisinliaving a spring under compression. f

2 is a front view` corresponding to portion of the Fig. 8 shows a modication of the method y of actuation of this guiding mechanism.

F ig. 9 is a generalvieiv of acrane constructed according to Fig. 7.

F lOis a-detail ofliig. 9. Fig. ll is a vplan view showing the method of operation fof a universal crane according toFigs.7,f8and ,Figa l2 showsv a modiiication ot the guide mechanism provided with al roller and fixed cam guide.

Fig. 13 shows a detail nismof Fig. il. i i

Fig. ifi is a side view ot a bogic ot the. crane provided writhna guide n having differential levers, i is a'sectionalong linev itif1.5 ot'y of the guide me ha- Fig, 14.

Fig.l 16 is i detail of the guide mecha-j Figs. 1T to 2.7 inclusive are views sini- `pilar-to l, 2, 3, e, G, 'T 8. ll. l2. lli and vl5 respectively, but they relatel Jo universal cranes khaving adouble trollo;Y or liogie running upon a mono-rail track.

Fig is a side view ot the extremity ot a funiversai crane havingl a trolley ingle running upon a tworail tra-'iii and provided with a guiding mechanism having aspi'iiig under compression. I f

Fig. 29 is a front view corresponding to FigfQS. f y

Fig. is a general view ot a universal ico crane constructed according to Fins.

' and 29.

l. ot

or' the double rail type with an elastic connecting mechanism `between said trolleys.

.Fig '35 is' a detail ot the connecting mechanism yot Fig. 311.

Fig. 36 shows a si-de view ot the end ot a universal crane having asingle mono-rail trolley and comprising a guiding,` mechanisin having` a spring` under compression.

Fig. 3T is a front view coii'i'esponding to rig. 36.

` ing,` a trac-,lr a

are' connected by the intermediary f desired siding.

Fig. 88 is a side View of a single trolley ot a universal crane having a guiding; mechanism provided with a ioller and ai tiXed cam guide. i.

,Fig 39 is a view similar to 38 showingjr a modification of the guiding mechanism.

Figa() is a' view similar to Fig', 84 but applied to 'the case ot a mono-rail system.

l1 shows by way of example the application ot one 'ot the switching sys ems according to this invention to the case or a crane rcomprising four trolleys at each eX- tremity;

, Figure 42 is a diagram showing the method ot operation oit a vuniversal. crane.

For a. clear understanding` et the' present invention, a description et the method ot operation ot a universal. crane will first be given with reference to Fig. This ngi;- nie 2ogives a planfview ot' a system ot runway track ot the double rail type compristo which 'branchesat right angles ot switches c. All these branches are at equal distances apart and the junctions are preferably curved to the same radins.

Taking' the case ot a universal crane c, ci, c serving a span comprised between two branches t, it the bogies e pivot relatively to the cross ,ejirder (Z, it will be understood that the universal crane c, f7, c can be brought into the junctions ol' the sidiiifrs, into the )osi-tion f1 and that' the homes c canbe E? caused to engage in the switches so as to inove one behind the other on the central.

traclr a.v The universel crane can thus,l be brought to the position d from which, by an operation the been described, it can be caused to enter any Y The universal crane c, d, c can also be brought to the position cl3. The purpose ot' the present invention is to en,-

` suspension bolt 7 to* rotate about the bolt 7.

reverse otf'that which has 'a box 6 termed by two U joists connected Y Ant middle oi the box 6 is Iitted a bolt 7, rthe head ot which rests, lthrough the intermediary o1' a thrust bearing S, upon a spherical abutment formed in a plate 10 fixed to the box 6. The lower 4portion of this bolt 7 is szrewed into a. sleeve 11 having gudgeong 1Q which can pivot in the body ot' the U oists ot the girder 3. A lock-nut 13 enables the bolt 7 and the sleeve k11 to be locked together. A trolley 14 ot the mono-rail type runs upon the girder 3 and carries the load in any suitable manner.

The method ot suspension of the girder 3 just described is tor the purpose ot ensuring liberty ot relative movements of said cross girder and the. bogies when passing over curves and switches, which greatly diminishes the torsional, shearingand other stresses to which otherwise the bolts 7 would be subjected. j

The guide mechanism having' a compression spring according to Figures 1 to 3 is constructed in the following'v manner: the

serves as an axis cit rotation for the two sprocket wheels 15 'and 16 which are fixed to each other and are free These ywheels are arranged between the 'box 6 and the girder 3. To wheel 15 `is fixed a diametrical arm 17 the extremities ot which are bent upwardly. rfhese extremities are each traversed by 'il helicalspriiig,such as 19, is interposed between each ot' the heads and the extremity ot the arm 17. 'All the springs 19 are ot together one opposite lthe other.

'substantially the same strength so that the abutments 153 project substantially by the same amount on each side oi' the extremity ot the arm. 1l'. The abntmentg '18 can bear against the lugs 2O suitably fixed on the trolleys l and .2.. Endless chains 21 Isruided by sliezi.res;i pass orer the wheels 16 at each end and vextend to a height oi" about one metre Jfrom the `around. The wheels l5 are connected together by an endless ychain 9,3 which, with the `wheel 1 5. .constitutes a connecting system between the manually operated devices, which'exist at each end ot the crane, and which are operated by the chains 21, in such a manner that the guide mechanisms can be actuated from either end ot Ui A of'its direction ofinovement, the chain21 is. l pulledso as to cause the forward abut-ment 1S to bear av'ainst ythe "left hand face ofthe lng' `.`).()"oi"'the trolley 2at` the same time compressing the'.correspondingy spring 19. Afs soon as the trolley 2reaches` the switch, tliefspring 19 pivots this trolley towards the right andfcompels it to'talre the ,desired direction. The same movement is effectedv at theotlier extremity of the crane owing to the connecting` chain 23.

It is evident that by a suitable koperation itwouldv be possible to switch the trolleys ot'thecrane. in' alldirections whatever may je the 'direction ot movement ofthe crane.

The guidemechanism of Figs. 4, 5 and isslightly `differentin that the wheels and"16 -are fixedto a frame 24 which envelops the box 6, while at the same' timebeing` capable of oscillating about the` pivot 'TT to 'an extent somewhat greater thanJ a quarter of a revolution. On its upper "face this frame carries Afour pins 25, ,.26,. 26', (Fig: 5')` arranged symmetrically to the axis of.' rotation of. the frame 24. Between the pins 251 and`26 on the one hand and 25',

. 26""on1 the vother hand, there is inserted a helical Spring 29which is slightly tensi'oned,l

when the trolleys 1 and 2 are yin line, be? tween rods 27j and 28 fixed to the trolleys 1 and2 respectively. This spring also act-s as avcoupling' between. the two trolleys 4constituting the bogie.

The methodof' opera-tion is as follows: It by means ofthe manipulating; and con'- netting'` chains rotation is imparted to the frame 24 ig'. 5) in the direction ofthe r arrow the'pins 25, 25 rmove to 425a" and; respectively and tension the `co1l spring'l 25h 29 by exerting' a pull upon the rods 27, r28,

the effect of whiclris to `cause thev two trol-v leysto assume a position corresponding to thatr shofwnby the arrows f so as toy A effecty switching` in the corresponding direction.,

In the vform of execution shown'in Figs.r`

come lintov 'contactwitlr fixed cams 32 'fixed above the,,traclandwhlch cause the trolleys` to deviatetowards the branchline. These camsA 'dol` not act' upon the, rollers l30 whenthesejlatter,l a'rernot. raised,` since inl this case the rollers y30 passfunderneath the cams. The ,method of' action of the -camsl uponfthe -to the upperV `chain 41,142 the loop of 31 'which ycan bel raised vertically 'in rollers `will be evident from an` examination of Fig. 11;

The "vertical movement `is lcommunicated" to the rollers 3() by levers-33 ig.7) 'piv- Oted at 34 inthe box 6 and provided with counterweights 35 levers beingy considerably wider than'fthe at their outer ends, these rods 31 which restupon them, with a view` to taking care ofl the lateral movement of' the rods-31 relative to thefleversf33. kThe inner endsy of'y these levers 33 areconnected by means of links to the extremityy ofa cableV 86` passingI through? formed in the, axis of This'cable then and39 (Fig. `9): of the crane'. whereA it is arrangedy in the a longitudinal* hole the suspensionl bolt 7.

same manner and is attached Vto the actuating j levers for'the rollers `ofy this `other extremity.y The* `cable 36 5. constitutes the mechanical'connectingg device between thev two guide mechanisms. The method of actuationisv as followsr" n y the'cable, between they pulleys-37 and 38,' there. is fixed lone of' the kextremities of a which falls to about onemetre from the ground; One' endis fixed to thecrane 3 Vata point 42. The fall of.. the chaiufixed at 42" nierelyjservesto pull the Icrane 3` along the track, `while the'` fall of' the chain y41 serves'forswitching purposes. y

The method' of* operation is asfollows: If'` the `f'all ofthe chain 41 which is fixed At` the pointq40 of passes, over pulleys 37, 38 and goes to the other end at 40 tothe cable36is pulled down toits fullestextent, the rollers 30v are caused'to rise and when. theyencounter the cam 324 they causethe crane to deviatetowards theV branchv line.

It is preferable that the pointg40 Vbe lo-` cated `nearer to the pulley 37 than to the pulley. 38,` vfor the 'reason that, 'during the firstl portion of the pullupon the chain 41, they rollers 30' situated near that end` ofthecrane'where the chain issituated, areraised,

while the, rollers 30 ofthefother end do not rise, owing to the slack which'exists ini the',

anism, suclias theslide 43'in the notches of.

which the, springplunger' 44. .fcan engage'.-

The .lower notchx45 Vcorresponds to theneupulled to its fullestzextent, i

The first operationwill r through an i axial hole in to rise. During are pivoted freely at their lower ends upon the shaft48, which can slide freely in clon-- gated openings in twosimilar levers 19 pivoted at 50. lThese levers are situated on each side of the suspension bolt 5 and can turn about the shafts Ofofthese. latter in the box 6. The levers 19 are pivoted with a certain amount oi play at two diametricallyopposite points of' a member 51, which can oscillateabout a rod 52l between two shouldersof this latter. Therod 52passes 7 and is pivoted at itslower portion upon a lever 53 which is vhinged at apoi'nt 5e to the main gi'rder 3 of. the crane. TheY lever 53 is provided with fa chain 5.5 one of the ends of` which is fixed to a point 560i' the crane girder 3 and serves to move the crane. rIhe lever 53 is `provided with a counterweight 57 which tends to cause the rod 52 to rise. Upon the extremity of the lever 53 which carries the counterweight 57, there is hinged a lever 58, in an eye 59 of which there engages a pin carried by a crank 6() keyed upon a shaft 61 mounted longitudinally relatlive to the girder- 3. At its other extremity the shaft 61 carries a crank similar tothe crank 60 and is connectedto the mechanism at the other end of the crane which is ident-ical with that which has `just been described. l

`The method of operation is as `follows:

A pull, upon the chain 55 causes the rollers the first portion of their path these rollersareraised to a sufficient extent to enable them to come into contact with the guide incline 32 '(Fig. 9). ever, during this first portion of the lmovement, the eye 59 slides upon the pin of the crank 60 without moving this latter. 1f the pull uponthe chain is continued the rollers 3() rise more and morel and the crank is actuated in such a manner that the shaft imparts a rising movement to the rollers 3() of the other extremity of the crane. lhe reason for this movement 4being effected in two stages has been explained with relationto Fig.,7. r

In the device shown in Figs. 12 and 13 wheels 15 and 16 are fixed to a rotary cam 62 which has the form shown in plan in Fig-"13. This rotary cam acts upon the extremities of two levers 63 pivoting at 64 in the box 6, the extremities of which `are provided with counterweights 65 and act upon the rods' 31 which carry the rollers 30.

the suspension bolt.

'a limited amount of play lcorrespond to Figs.

Figures 14, 15 and 16 showa guiding meehanisin having differential levers. The trolleys 1 and 2 are provided laterally with rigid arms 66 and 67 arranged opposite each other; these arms are each connected by means of links 66", 67 to one of the extremities of the lever68, the shape of which is shown in elevation in Fig. 16. This lever has at its centre an elongated transverse slot 69 which engages the upper extremity of the suspension bolt 7 which thereby prevents the ylever 68 from movingtransversely relative to the track 4.` The extremities of the lever 68 which are bent over at right angles are arranged'in the path of an abutment 7 0 carried bv the wheel 15.

Vhen this abutment 70 is caused to come into contact with one of the extremities of the lever 68, as shown in Fig.l 15, through the operation of the chains actuating the wheels 15 and 16, the lever 68 oscillates about the point 7 and tends to cause the two trolleys 1 and 2 to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction. In view of the fact that the vertical guide rollers 1, 1b and 2a, 2b have only between the rails 4, the trolleys 1 and 2 can only pivot to a very slight extent. As soon as the trolley 2 for. example, reaches the curve 71 it can pivot under the effort transmitted by the lever ,68, which thenpivots around the. point 66, which may be considered as a fixed point since the trolley 1 is always held in place by the rail 4. The crane therefore engages by its two extremities in the branch line 71.

Figs. 17, 18 and 19 correspond to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, but they relate to a bogie composed of two trolleys of the mono-rail type; moreover, Figs. 2O and 21 correspond to Figs. 4l and 6 and Figs. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 7, 8, 11, 12, 14 and 15 respectively. The same reference letters designate the same members in the two groups of figures and the method of operation is the same in the two groups.

Figs. 28 and 29 show the invention applied under one of its forms to a universal crane having single trolleys of the double rail type aty its extremities, the actuating mechanism, the connectingmechanism, and the guide mechanism being'identical to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and having the same reference lette-rs. y

Y Fig. 304 shows a crane constructed according to Figs. 28 and 29, the main girder 72 being constituted by a single barupon which arefixed the suspension hooks 73 (Fig. 31).

Figs. 32 and 33 are similar to Figs. 12 and 7l respectively but they show double rail trolleys `for each extremity of the crane. The same reference letters which designate they corresponding parts havey been retained inthe case of Figs. 32 and 33. f

The device shownin Figs. 34 and `35 is.

specially ladapted for use with universal craneshaving single trolleys `Each endtrolley ,74, fr' has a prismatie portion 76 Which is fixed .inposition vand. upon which are keyedtivof pulleys 77, 78. The pulley. 78 receivesthe actuating chain V2l` as in [the devices yalready described. The pulley 77 is grooved or cut like va helicoidalwheel,engagingwitlr awormthethread of Which is round. f The worm is constituted by a helical sp1'ilig`79 the extremities of whichivouldbe Weldedtogether in such a .manner as to form akindofendless chain. x The :pitchof this spring is approximately equal tothe pitch of the teeth of the wheel 77. T he end ol the spring 79engages with the pulleys 77 which are postively connected thereby.

. `The `method oi operation is as follows: Supposing that the crane .moves with its trolleys one behind thefotlier, the direction is vgiven toene. ot these trolleys .by one `ot theoperating chainsand theinovement of this` trolley can.take place. .independently of the` other, owing to fthe fact .that the endless spring chain 79 yields. in the desired `direction. However, the` spring) tends toresuine fits normal position,andconsequently `tends to cause vthe trolley, which has not been actuateddirectly, topivot.. ,As soon `as this trolley can pivot, that is tosay Vas soonas it reaches the vswitch .in Which .itsgpredecessor has [engaged itpivotsunder, the `action rof the-spring 79 and is theretore'obligedto, enter. the saidsivitch. y n In l,cases `Where the .two trolleys arrive; at the saine time at tivo switches Aacting inthe same` directionk and situated atfanequal distance4 relative to `the girder 3, opera-tion. 1,of one of the trolleys would compel the other one to` deviate into. 4the parallel.` branch v line owing to the ,connecting spring/7 9. n

n Figs. 86, 87, 385.39 and V40are similanto Figures 28, 29,32, andf butthey relate to the, case of universalcranes having single nionofrail trolleys.4 4The .parts which correspondin the tivogroups ofiguresfhave. been designated liystlie same i reference letters. The-method oi? operation is thesaine AWith both of thesetwo groups offigures.

Yln :casesavlierethe universal crane. isrequired ,to transport heavy loads' or when ythe span `becomes great. in relation'v to the end carriage Wheel base, itfis Vnecessary to distribute ythe Weight y, over aV greater` lengthgot the, track andor-this vpurpose. av greater number of trolleys than. tivo .should be used. `The.invention isaapplicable.,l also to `thiscase and one of itsfo'rms of execution applied to the case inouestion is shownin Fig. 4l.; In ,thistigi-irethe device .of Fig. 8 hasbeen supposedthave been extended to the four trolleys 8081, -82, 83` connected,together by links 85. .Theftivodirst -and` the vtivo last trolleys .are connected to eacli other by il'leans of boxesSG, 86. similar to 4the boxes pivot at in the boxes 86, 86 and are each connected to a rod 91 which slidesin lthe bolts 88. rlhe rods Qlare connected to the system of levers enclosed in the box 6 and mounted upon the frame and the point ot oscillationlot' the levers 49 isplaced at the extremity ot' the levers. lt. Willbe understood that all the .otherwparts situated in the box 6 and all the partsy beloivithis lat# ter in Fig. ll are analogous tothose shown in Fig.y 8.. The methodotoperationwill be understood from'an examinationot' Fig. l in viewer' what1 ,has alreadybeenstated relative to Fig. 8. It will be understood that allthe necessary clearances are pro- ;videdin the bearings so as to allow of the inthe boxes 86, 862

.l`claim; f v f y `l'. Thev combination lwithjan yoverhead uni dividual f pivoting' of the trolleys `and, of

versal crane comprisinga cross-,girder and end trolleys pivoted relative to ysaid ,girden olf manuallyoperated means-for controlling the angular position of` the. trolleys. and switching .meansy adapted to .,engagef. the trolleys. i i f 2. The'combinationwithan overhead universal crane, comprising' acrossgirder and end trolleys pivoted relativeitosaid girder, oit manually operated means yat eache'nd of the crane for controlling', .themangular positionot the trolleys` and switching means adaptedto engage the trolleys.

' The combination with an voverhemduniversal crane comprising a` cross-girder vand end-trolleys pivoted relative tosaid girder. oi. manually operateddneansat each end oif the crane for controlling the `angjgular posi-V tion of the trolleys, lconne,cting means between said hand-operated means, and sivitcliing means adapted to engage the trolleys.

4. The combinationivith an overhead uni.-` versal crane comprising alcross-girderfand endtrolleys pivoted relatively toI said girder, ot" a ,switching device comprising., hand-y operatedmeans at eachend ofthe cranefor controllingthe angular position of vthe trolleys, connecting meansbetiveen said` hand? operating means forwenabling the operation, to be effected from either` end of the kcrane and a Switching mechanism ateach end of thez crane,.said switching mechanism acting upontlie trolleys of Said ends. y

; `5. The combination Wth'an overhead universal crane comprising a `crcssgirder .and

ioo

` sprocket-ivlieels and adapted end trolleys pivoted relative to said girder, of sprocket-Wheels loosely mounted on the axes of suspension of said crane at each end thereof, an endless chain passing round said sprocket-Wheels and adapt-ed to be actuated by hand, abutments fixed to said sprocket-Wheels, lugs fixed to the frames of said trolleys, said abutinents being adapted to encounter said lugs on actuation of the chain to alterthe angular position of the trolleys. l

6. ylfhe combination With an overhead universal crane comprising a cross-girder and end trolleys pivoted relative to said girder, of sprocket-Wheels loosely mounted on the axes of suspension of said crane at each end thereof, an endless chain passing round` said to be actuated. by hand, spring-pressed abutments lixed to lsaid sprocket-wheels, `lugs fixed to the frames of said trolleys said abutments be ing adapted to encounter said lugs on actuation of the chain so that the springs are compressed. 7, The combination Withan overhead universal crane comprising a cross girder and end trolleys pivoted r-elative to said girder, of springs acting upon saidtrolleys,`man ually operated means fo-r varying the tensionof said springs and guide-members into lwhich the trolleys are forced by the springs.

y 8. The combination with an overhead universal crane comprising a cross-girder and `end trolleys pivoted relative to said girder, of rollers mounted on said trolleys, guidecams fixed adjacent to the track, and manually operated means for moving said rollers into engagement with said cams for the purpose of leading said trolleys into branchlines. j v I' j 9. The combination With an overhead uni'- versal crane comprising a cross-girder and end trolleys pivoted relative to said girder, of rollersmounted on said trolleys, movable rods carrying said rollers, pivoted levers upon Which said rods rest, guide-cams fixed adjacent to the track, means `actuated by hand for tilting said levers to raise said rollers into contact with said guide-cams for the purpose set forth.

l0. The combination with an overhead universal crane comprising a cross-girder and end trolleys pivoted relative to said girder, rollers mounted on said trolleys, guide cams fixed adjacent to thetrack and conjugated means for raising the rollers at each end of the girder into engagement with the guide cams, for the purpose set` forth.

11. The combination with an overhead universal crane comprising a cross -girder and end trolleys pivoted relative to said girder, rollers mounted on said trolleys, mov# able rods carrying said rollers, pivoted levers upon Which said rods rest, guide cams fixed adjacent to the track, a cable connected to the other ends of said levers and adapted to pivot them When pulled, to cause said rollers to engage said guide cams, said cable being also connected `to the levers at the other end of said girder.

l2. The combination with anA overhead universal crane comprising a cross -girder` and end trolleys pivoted relative tof said girder, of rollers mounted on said trolleys, guide cams i xed adjacent to the track, means for moving said rollers into engagement Witli'said guide cams and automatic means for withdrawing them from such engagement. j 'i n Y 13. The combination with an overhead universal crane comprising a cross-girder and end trolleys pivoted relative to said girder, of rollers mounted on said trolleys,

guide cams fixed adjacent to the track,`

levers engagingv said rollers, sprocket wheels mounted on the axis of suspension of .the crane at each end thereof, a rotary cam fixed toisaid sprocket Wheels and engaging the ends of said levers and an'endless chain passing over said sprocket Wheels and adapted to be operated by hand. f

14. The combination lWith an overhead universal crane comprising a cross-girderand end trolleys pivoted relative Yto said girder, of rollers mounted on said trolleys, guide cams fixed adjacent ,to the track,

` means for moving the' rollers of the trolleys at one end of the girder into engagement with the guidecams before those at the other and means for automatically disengaging them.

l5. Thev combination with an overhead universal crane comprising a cross girder, and end trolleys pivoted relative toy said girder, of rollers mounted on said trolleys, guide cams fixed adjacent to the track, means for moving the roller of the trolleys at one end of the girder into engagement with the guide cams before those at the other and a spring-stop mechanism for controlling the sequence of these operations.

16.The combination with ran overhead universal. crane comprising cross -1 girder and end trolleys pivoted relative to said girder, of a sprocket Wheel mounted on the axis of suspension of said girder, a lever mounted upon said axis, arms projecting to one side of one trolley and to the opposite side of-theother, links connecting said arms to opposite ends of said lever, an abutment on said Wheel adapted to contact with said lever when rotated and means for rotating said Wheel. 1 Y

17. The combination with an overhead universal crane comprising a cross-girdeil andV end trolleys pivoted relative to said girder, of manually operated means at each @1,443,382 f i I7 means,` and switching means adaptedto ena helicoidallygrooved portion, a coilsprng gage the trolleys. K fitting said groove `and passing round the l0 18. The combination With an overhead helicoidal portion and being led round a universal Crane comprising a cross-ginder similar portion on the trolley at the other and end trolleys pivoted relative to the end of the girder, the ends of said springgirder,` a pulley on the vaxis of each trolley, being connected together.y

anendless chain connectingthe trolleys at n each end of the girder, said pulley having CHARLESNVINCENT RAPIER, 

